The Book 2008 Football

[CAJUNryan4]

Next up is our coverage team...WOW. Outside of that one rugby kick gone bad, these guys did one hell of a job. Absolutely blowing up fools on the field. Did anyone else laugh uncontrollably when we had a coverage guy hit a Flash and he flew into their return guy. It was like a cartoon. _

That also was another big hit by Derik Keys. The man plays hard every play.

[Just1More]

_ Yeah, something is up with Fleming. He didn't play much in the first half and we saw a lot of McCoy and Washington who both played very well. I was extremely impressed with the D. The lack of containment is a mistake but this is something that can be corrected. Its extrememly important with a mobile QB and they ran a lot of bootlegs. The DE's have to be more disciplined when facing a mobile QB. Still liked the way the D flew to the ball. I still want to know what's going on with D. Smith. He played little in the first half and they didn't even look for him. _

That was one slippery QB (I hope he deserved the credit). I still like the aggression our defense showed. Even though aggression risks big plays, it forces mistakes, messes with DC/QBs, and disrupts offenses... I like it. I really liked our aggression last night. It spilled over onto special teams as well. The pops from aggressive, clean hits were awesome.

I've come to expect what I saw from our offensive ground game, against a team that would play somewhere right behind the middle of the SBC... UL has gifted starting pedestrians for true... BUT, we now have an established short to mid-short passing attack that will spread SBC defenses about 30% greater than last year. I'm equally pleased that our OC is calling a much better mix of plays than last year. Offense isn't our "problem", but racking up points never hurts in the final analysis... 100 to 99 is still a "W". I'm curious about D Smith as well. I'm glad he wasn't "needed", but would sure like to see him back in the mix come SBC play.

If it weren't for a costly fumble early, giving up that fake punt, and the horribly blown coverage assignment (especially when they put a new QB in the game in an obvious effort to play catch-up with passes) on that wide open, down the middle pass for TD... this game would have been a whole lot more lopsided. We could have converted that last drive into points. We showed some class running up the middle and letting the clock run out.

Our special teams impressed me the most overall. We kicked deep for the first time in a long time and covered, punted angles and within coverage and we covered extremely well. We haven't established a punt/kick return scare, but hanging onto the ball and making good decisions is 98% of the deal IMO. I do want to see a punt block specialist arrive back on the scene like Bustle had in his early years. I used to expect a blocked punt at least once a game.

I'm now a whole lot more confident facing the SBC. Many opponents "have it" this year, and we have to answer the bell every round, big time.

I enjoyed the heck out of tailgating, despite the showers. Stadium looks fantastic. Cudos to the program.

[cajun4life]

_ Yeah, but it would have been nice to see McGuire keep it and go around the right end to walk it infor his first TD as a Cajun. I'm sure Gbbaseball would have like that. _

It would have been nice and the right thing to do IMO to let McGuire take over with 7 minutes to go when we got the ball. Allow him to execute the offense and try to score to get him some meaningful game experience.

[cajun4life]

_ That also was another big hit by Derik Keys. The man plays hard every play.

_

Actually it was Franze Accimme, but Keys did play very very well.

[Just1More]

Did anyone else laugh uncontrollably when we had a coverage guy hit a Flash and he flew into their return guy. It was like a cartoon.

I didn't laugh uncontrollably... but it was great. I hope that got caught on film. I was worried Derek wasn't getting up. He sucked it up and made it to the sidelines... that hit was brutal. The Cajuns proved to me that coming off of Illinois, they are not going to come out and play flat this year. Something has them operating in hyperdrive since the USM game.

[Clutch0364]

The only thing that could have made the day better was for there to be 0 rain! I had a great time with great people and even got the chance to meet a few posters from the board! Great day all the way around!

Now about the game...

When Desmo had the fumble I will be honest the first thing that came to mind was oh ____ here we go again but they did not let that play kill their confidence. After the first couple of series you could see that adjustments had been made because slowly we started running the ball down Kent State's throat. The team played good in all aspects of the game and I think that the score is a little deceiving because we dominated the game.

Tyrell Fenroy - What can you say about the guy that hasn't already been said! His explosion through the hole is incredible, before you know it he is into the second level and I like ours chances with Fenroy against a safety.

Michael Desormeaux - I think the one thing he gets criticized for is his passing ability but yesterday he displayed that he can be a passer. Did he miss a few guys or make the wrong read, yes but he was efficient and stayed away from mistakes in the passing game and thats all we need him to do.

Ladarius Green and Pierre Hill - I love these 2 freshman! They both made some good plays and seeing Green running free behind the Safeties was so great to see.

On defense I am not going to single out any players because I think the unit played well together. No one stuck out to me and made me say WOW he played great but as a whole they did a lot of good things. I have to give our DB's a lot of credit because our DL and LB's were able to flush Edelman out of the pocket a lot because of good coverage down field. Edelman ran for a bunch of yards but they contained the passing game and I'll take a QB having to run for a lot of yards because he has no where else to go any day of the week.

A few other random thoughts...
1) On the goal line can we get into a power formation more often and utilize the fact that we have a big 260lb FB and one of the best HB's in the country. (I know I am nit-picking right here butI wanted to at least give one negative though lol)
2) Great crowd considering the rain and I think it would have been much better if not.
3) Edelman for Kent State can sure run! He is just like Desmo and I applaud him because he did play very hard.
4) Glad we didn't have to try to contain Eugene Jarvis but I sure would have liked to have seen him play.
5) The entire game day experience is getting better and I think we can attribute that to Farmer.

Ok I am going prepare for a day of NFL! If the Cowboys win today it will have been a perfect football weekend...Comeaux , UL, and Dallas!

GEAUX CAJUNS!!!

[CajunNation]

This game was impressive for several reasons.

Offensive Play

Passing downfield off of run fakes proved to be very deadly. Wonderful play calling.

Green and Hill are going to be better than we hoped.

Desmo showed great poise passing the football for the second straight week.

As long as Desmo and Fenroy remain healthy, the rushing attack will again be one of the best in the country.

Only problem may be the lack of a capable sub to give Fenroy a break.


Defensive Play

Aside from the 80 yard bomb late in the game, the defense performed at the level needed to win this conference, for the second straight week.

3 SACKS, swarming to the ball, bone-jarring hits. I can't tell you how nice it is to see a Cajun defense play with an attitude.

Dean is going to be a good one.


Atmosphere

Things are coming together. From game management, to the new field, to the clean stadium, to the fired-up fans, this was one of the most enjoyable gametime experiences I've had in Cajun Field in a long time.

If we in fact do turn the corner this season with the program, people will point to this game as the turning point.

[phunkjunkie]

are you a spartan alum?

[Clutch0364]

_ are you a spartan alum? _

Yes Sir! Class of '03!

[ULvictory]

Hey clutch, I don't want to change the subject, but I think I found that girl's name on facebook.

[Clutch0364]

_ Hey clutch, I don't want to change the subject, but I think I found that girl's name on facebook. _

HAHAHAHAHA

[Clutch0364]

_ Hey clutch, I don't want to change the subject, but I think I found that girl's name on facebook. _

I jsut sent you a PM

[phunkjunkie]

cool class of 95 here

[CAJUNryan4]

_ Hey clutch, I don't want to change the subject, but I think I found that girl's name on facebook. _

lmao, this could get interesting, i think we should get Bob on the case, lol

[ULvictory]

I mean really.......what thoughtless/souless person would resist talking to cute and adorable BOB. hahaha